As the pandemic continues, disposable face masks can be seen littering the streets of London. As well as maintaining social distance and washing hands, wearing a mask has become one of the essential ways in which we can all protect ourselves from COVID-19. However, the way in which these masks are being disposed of is having a negative environmental impact. Before Lockdown began there was a massive problem of plastic pollution, and now humans are adding the waste of face masks, making the problem worse. If this plastic ends up in the sea it will be 450 years before it decomposes according to Waste Free Oceans. PPE is hard to recycle as it is seen as medical waste, so more of it is ending up in landfill and ultimately in our rivers oceans and lakes.
When going into shops, banks, pharmacies and other indoor places, wearing a face mask is now mandatory in England. Some schools have also made it compulsory for masks to be worn, particularly for secondary school pupils in communal areas, such as corridors. According to a report from the Environmental Science and Technology journal, around 194 billion disposable face masks and gloves are being used every month worldwide.
Disposable face masks have now been seen littering streets, parks, rivers and beaches across England. This is devastating and will have huge environmental consequences. Plastic can enter the sea where it will eventually degrade into microplastics and enter habitats, food chains and contaminate the environment. Materials used in facemasks have been found inside the stomachs of sea creatures such as sharks. The devastating effects of these microplastics will be present for generations.
We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities but this pandemic has also shown us that the green spaces and a clean environment are vital for our physical and mental wellbeing. Whilst doing our bit to reduce, reuse and recycle, we also must consider the masks that we are now wearing on a daily basis. Students and staff at James Allen’s Girls School are committed to helping make a positive environmental impact with the aim of becoming a zero-carbon school. There have been lots of discussions and presentations within the school looking at various ways we can reduce our negative impact on the environment. One of the ways we can reduce our plastic pollution, is to wear reusable facemasks instead of disposable ones.
Like disposable face masks, reusable face masks can also trap droplets which are released when a person speaks, coughs or sneezes. Reusable masks are more economical and environmentally friendly. As long as you wash and wear your reusable mask properly you will be protected from the virus during the pandemic as well as protecting the world we live in.
